So it's perhaps not surprising that Mel B was spotted looking thinner than ever during a recent shopping spree in California, this week.

The ex-Spice Girl, 42, raised eyebrows as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Wednesday, where she displayed a slight figure.

Wearing a T-shirt, vest top and leggings, which she matched with pink leggings and stilettos, her slimline frame was clearly on view as she undertook the solitary outing in Hollywood's Melrose Place.

Mel B shows off her slimline shape while shopping in West Hollywood (Image: WENN.com)

The performer's latest look is something of a departure from her previous guise, which frequently saw her flaunt toned muscle definition with feminine curves.

For many, the stress of her marriage separation will be a likely cause for the thinner look, but that's unconfirmed.

Either way, the latest pictures emerge shortly she settled domestic violence cases against her estranged husband and their former nanny, paving the way to divorce proceedings.

The chart-topper claimed her ex Stephen Belafonte subjected her to years of physical and mental abuse and that their former au pair, Lorraine Gilles, conspired with him to threaten to release explicit videos of her.

Belafonte denied the allegations and claimed her "habitual and consistent addiction" to cocaine and alcohol was a major issue in their marriage.

(Image: WENN.com)

The Leeds-born star is known for her fitness, but seemed thinner than ever (Image: WENN.com)

Gilles has also always denied the claims made by Mel B.

The Leeds-born judge on America's Got Talent applied for restraining orders against the pair after she filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court.

A domestic violence trial was set to hear further damaging claims and was to be shown intimate videos involving the singer but was heeded on Monday after Brown settled with Belafonte and Ms Gilles.

Judge Mark Juhas told the court that the case had been resolved and the temporary restraining orders had been dissolved, paving the way for divorce hearings between Brown and Belafonte.

The terms of the settlements, first reached with Belafonte last week and then Ms Gilles's over the weekend, have not been made public.

The singer is currently enduring a very public split from her husband (Image: WENN.com)

A source close to Belafonte said the agreement included "substantial custodial time" with his six-year-old daughter with Brown.

The pair, both 42, married in Las Vegas in June 2007 but Brown filed for divorce in March this year citing "irreconcilable differences".

The mother of three detailed allegations of domestic abuse and the court was told she claims he drugged her throughout much of their relationship.

The court was also told that Brown led an "extravagant" lifestyle and had "wiped out" her $50 million (£38 million) fortune from the Spice Girls.